After leaning my master's footwork, which I call [ One with the Wind ] for now since I didn't like my master's naming sense...I decided to go back to the Nest of Fire Monkeys by jumping to an uneven surface in the cliff.
I did not fly there with my steps because I am unable to, I can only glide through the air and move as swift as the wind...it seems like my master's flight technique is highly advanced, so I cannot learn it for now.
Ontop of the large tree branch where the Fire Monkeys usually play, I threw a pebble on one of the Fire Monkeys head to catch their attention, then with a mocking smile....I challenged them.
"Sup, Banana brains. You still haven't caught me"
I sneered at them which made the Fire Monkeys fiery eyes ignite and their fists as well. Seems like those fists are very cool.
"You guys are it once again"
I chuckled as three of them then propelled forward with a flame powering their legs. Gosh, they have that? Why did they not use it earlier....
Before the monkeys could reach me, I decided to make a run for it as I let the wind guide me. To the monkeys' surprise, I disappeared from my previous position and reappeared just inches behind the monkeys.
"Slow...way too slow"
I uttered towards them with a smile. Kyaaa~ I look so cool just now. Is this how master felt whenever he is making fun of his enemies? This is a nice feeling.
Not giving them time to recover from shock, I decided to trip one of them and push one to fall off the tree branch, letting one be confused about my actions.
"Ah, I touched you.....guess I am it?"
I chuckled before the remaining monkey used its uncanny fire steps to distance itself away from me, and it worked. Distance between me and itself was given.
"Oh? I will give you a 5 second headstart...you better run"
Ignoring the other two monkeys which had been caught by me, I decided to count. I ignored the two of them and did not incapacitate them...I instead, let the other two run with the remaining one ahead.
The reason for my action isn't actually to be arrogant. I am confident that I can catch the three of them, yes, but that is not my goal. I did not specifically taunted the fire monkeys for nothing, I targetted them because of the textbooks that I have read.
[ "Fire Monkeys are known for their playful nature, But that is not the reason why they are infamous. They are infamous to the Merchant Caravans, infamous for stealing goods. Everytime a Merchant Caravan passes through the Caprilar Forest, they always keep deep security on their goods because a mischievous monkey always steal a valuable item." ]
The Caprilar Forest which the textbook talked about was actually the forest where I am currently in, which means that those monkeys might lead me to their real nest. Earlier, when I taunted them....I only saw the three of them lying down and sleeping, so I assumed it was their nest but Fire Monkeys ain't that much of a small community, that place must have been their playground too.
"Five...."
Finishing the counting, I decided to chase after the three monkeys as we trek from tree to tree, they were fast with their fiery steps but my [ One with the Wind ] was swifter and more free, unbounded by things such as gravity. I kept some distance between us for them to assume that I cannot keep up woth them because of my arrogant attitude, then after a few minutes of chasing after them and they saw that I was out of their sight....they climbed up a cliff as I just watched them from afar.
Once they were on the top of the cliff, I soon then followed them. Infusing Ki in my Footwork and Grips, I was able to skillfully climb through the cliff.
Then when I finally reached the top, I saw a large temple at the distance. It seemed to be a ruined one. The walls of the temple were covered in moss.
I looked around me to find onlookers and then sneakily headed into the temple, as I was nearing the temple...I heard the cries of monkeys, the cries of laughter and also playful cries. I climbed ontop of a tree to scout on the source of noise ahead on the temple and saw a whole colony of Monkeys playing in the walls. Damn.
Up ahead too, I saw the three Fire Monkeys which I had been chasing and they seemed to be heading towards....the temple?
They just stood in the entrance though, then as if they were telling some higher up ahead....an Ape covered in a flaming jacket and a crown csme out from there. It stood on two feet like a human as it talked to the three monkeys.
I tried to measure its strength by the aura that it was emitting but I was met with nothing....except a pressure. A pressure stronger than the Pighead and not inferior to the wolf guy. A chilling pressure.
"Oh my, are you also here for the items?"
Startling me, a voice appeared beside me as I reflexively threw an elbow strike towards it, but the owner of the voice was able to avoid it as I just hit the air, causing a sharp sound.
"You are brutal! How could you hurt a beauty like me!"
I turned to look at where the voice was coming from and I saw a woman wearing a tribal hoodie and linen pants. When did this girl sneak up behind me? I did not even feel her presence....
The woman then took off her hood as my question was soon revealed, she had Caramel Colored hair and brown fox ears. Her expression looked similar to a certain someone that I hate, a huge smug. She looked like a member from the Fox Tribe, a tribe known for being a trickster and sneaky bastards.
"Who are you?"
I spat out with a scowl as I also let out a killing intent. Probably feeling the killing intent, the smile on her mouth turned stiff as she raised her hand in resignation.
"Hahaha, I am friendly! I am also after the treasures...."
"Treasures..?"
"Yeah, the treasures that those monkeys keep."
Exchanging words with the woman and feeling that her answer was genuine, I dropped my killing intent as I raised an eyebrow.
"So, what do you want?"
I asked her with an indifferent expression on her face. I can likely guess why she approached me like this despite her being already hidden. She appeared to be only around Initiation to Elite Orange rank so she might be here to seek my help. Because she cannot do this shit alone.
"I want to form a partnership, whatever we loot there with our own hands will be ours...."
Bingo. Guessing what she wanted, I smiled inwardly as I thought about the benefits of teaming up with her. It is true that I cannot handle this alone, so teaming up with her might be the option. Nodding, I accepted her offer.
"Sure, I am fine with it."
With a smile, she then offer a handshake to close to deal as I took it.
"Cool, My name's Caitlyn Raineers, by the way.....an Initiation Orange Rank, what's yours?"
While we were shaking hands with a smile, she then introduced herself.
"I am Pristine Red rank, and my name is Jenner."
I smiled in return as the deal was closed.